It is true that NI politics can be frustrating as at times the province seems to be going nowhere fast. Debates on TV programs such as the Nolan show quickly degrade into slanging matches and can reveal undertones of decades of sectarian hatred. So you may ask 'Why vote, what's the point? Let them get on with it!'
Well firstly, if you don't vote you can't complain! I believe our politicians despite their faults do work hard for their local communities and constituents. They do make mistakes but if you don't partake in the democratic process how can you complain? And if those who are in power don't meet up to your expectations then vote them out!
In particular I hate to see woman not engaging with the process. It was not until the Equal Franchise Act of 1928 that women over 21 were able to vote and women finally achieved the same voting rights as men. This act increased the number of women eligible to vote to 15 million.
Finally as a Christian I believe it is my duty to vote. I suppose the classic Biblical passage on the subject is Romans 13. 1 - 7 which states -
'Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them:taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.'
So come Thursday lets all get out to vote and change those things we don't like by preforming our duties!
